Friday, 8 February 2008

Squash professionals from around the world are converging on Richmond (USA) for the 2008 Davenport Professional Squash Championship which will be held in a high visibility glass-walled court at the University of Richmond’s Millhiser Gym February 25th to March 1st ...

"With $80,000 in prize money, we have achieved super series status," says fundraising chairman David Heatherington. "This tournament is now one of the top three in North America, and it's in the top 12 in the world. It's a strong statement to the global squash community that Richmond is on the map with London, Hong Kong and New York City."

Heatherington credits the influential enthusiasm of Gus Cook, squash pro at the Country Club of Virginia, for energizing the community and raising the tournament’s profile.

"This draw is will be the strongest draw anywhere in the U.S. this year and probably one of the top six strongest draws anywhere in the world in 2008," says Cook, who is the tournament director.

The top 12 world ranked players that have committed to play are: Ramy Ashour Egypt, world #2; Greg Gaultier, France, world # 3; David Palmer, Australia, world #4; James Wilstrop, England, world #6; Thierry Lincou, France, world #7; Karim Darwish, Egypt, world #8; John White, Scotland, world #9; Wael El Hindi, Egypt, world #10 and others.

In total, eight of the world’s top 10 and 16 of the top 25 players will compete.